Is It Normal For Puppies To Snore?

Puppy snoring is adorable, and with some breeds, it happens more frequently. Dogs with flat faces and short snouts are more prone to snoring. However, heavy and chronic snoring in any breed can be a health concern. If your pet is snoring loudly or frequently, reach out to your veterinarian to rule out serious health issues. Dog weight issues, which can cause snoring, also impact overall health.

Your vet can help you examine your dog's diet and lifestyle to make necessary changes. In breeds with flat faces and nasal issues, surgery may be needed to help your dog breathe easier.

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Wide heads, flat faces, and short snouts give puppies a physiological predisposition to breathing troubles and snoring. Boston terriers, bulldogs, chow chows, English toy spaniels, Pekingese, pugs, and Shih Tzus fit this description and commonly have signs and symptoms of obstructed breathing. If your puppy is one of these breeds, consult your vet about your options to improve her respiration and reduce her snoring.

Your vet will evaluate your young dog and diagnose her if applicable. Stenotic nares, or nostrils that collapse during inhalation, may clear up by 6 months of age or may require an augmentation surgery to open up the airways. An elongated short palate can be surgically shortened, and everted laryngeal saccules — naturally occurring soft tissue masses in a dog's throat that stick too far out into the larynx — can be surgically removed.

Puppy snoring can be caused by obesity and weight issues. Your puppy should have a defined waist from above, and you should be able to feel your puppy's spine and ribs without putting pressure on him. If this is not the case, your dog is likely overweight. The respiratory tract can become obstructed by excess fat.

Your veterinarian will be able to help you come up with a healthy diet plan to get your puppy on the right track. To increase your dog's overall well-being in addition to helping with the snoring issue, pay attention to your dog's activity level as well as what you're feeding him. Limit treats to training time and make sure he gets an adequate amount of exercise each day, including walks, playing fetch, and dog park visits.

Allergies can play a big part in puppy snoring. From food allergies to environmental irritants, nasal congestion and postnasal drip can occur if environmental elements bother your dog. Symptoms of allergies include sneezing, scratching, runny eyes or nose, swelling on the paws, frequent licking, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Your veterinarian can test by food exclusion to see if certain food ingredients are upsetting your dog. Give your dog a high-quality diet, avoiding wheat, soy, and corn. Making homemade food for your canine may be a good option to avoid additives altogether, but there are many high-quality brands that make healthy food.

Just as humans can have a reaction to things like pollen, chemicals in household products, fabric, dust, mold, or dander, dogs can be impacted by them as well. Avoid fragrance sprays and chemical-filled cleaners around your home, especially in areas your dog frequents, as these can cause irritation to your pet. The detergent used on pet bedding should be fragrance-free.

Sometimes, snoring is caused by a breathing issue that comes from an illness. Viral infections can cause illnesses that impact breathing, including a cold, kennel cough, influenza, adenovirus, parvovirus, tuberculosis, and canine distemper. Respiratory bacterial and fungal infections can also contribute to breathing issues and puppy snoring.

Breathing issues may also be caused by a parasitic infection. Heartworms and other internal worms are dangerous to your puppy, and if not treated promptly, they can infect the lungs, heart, or trachea. Roundworms can cause lungworm infections, which cause wheezing, coughing, and other respiratory distress. Depending on the severity of the worms, your veterinarian will prescribe anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, or anti-parasitic medications.